The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-04-22
Teachers Institute at ccn,raiia.

day, April 9Th and 0ih Many eminent in
siructors were present, including Deputy
State Superintendent Houck, Profs Wal.
Ter and Noetling Of the Bloomsbury State
Normal School, County Superintendent
Grimes, and Profs. Michener and Estler, of
Ashland. The local teachers also took an
active part 10 the proceedings, and very
extensive programme, embracing broad
range Of educational subjects was very
successfully carried out. The Institute
was called to order in Odd Fellows Hall
on Friday afternoon at Q o'clock. Rev. Mr..
Buckley, Of Centralia, delivered an ad-
dress of welcome, and was replied to in
fitting terms by County Supt Grimes.
Prof. Michener OF Ashland then addressed
the Institute on "The Teaching of Eng.
lsh." can educated man Is he who knows
his language the best. Besides the me-
chanical knowledge of language one must
know the use of words, but the story of
word is not the mother tongue, the point
is to make every single word produce a
definite idea in the mind. Educators must
remember that there is power of think
ing to be generated and that there must
be given to the mind of every person a
perfect instrument for seizing hold Of
thought. When words suggest definite
thoughts to pupil, he is becoming master
of the tongue he is using" AT the close
of Prof Michener's remarks, the Institute
sang "Work Away" and then the pupils
from Mr.. Curry's room gave a class drill on
the "bones and muscles. s."-Declamations
and essays by pupils from the various
schools followed, after which Mr.. Heffner,
OF Centralia read a paper on "Hindrances
10 the Success Of our Schools" Deputy
State Supt. Houck had one of his charac-
teristic talks with the Institute, graphically
contrasting old with modern methods of
instruction, humorously described "Ye
Schoolmaster of Ye Olden Tyne" and
closed with strong appeal for the protec-
tion of our public school system and ap-
probation of the labor of the teacher. The
Institute under the leadership of Prof.
Houck then sang "There is a Good Time
Coming" after which, at $50 p. m. the In
sttute adjourned.
In the evening Prof. Houck addressed a
large audience in the Opera House, on
''The Old and the New" Frequent bursts
of applause testified how thoroughly the
audience enjoyed the effort of The speaker
The Institute reassembed at 10 q. III. Sat
urday morning. After declamations, etc =.
by the pupils, Prof. Noetling, of Blooms
burg Normal School, spoke on "Methods of
Teaching" "By oral objective method"
is meant, that which adds to the purely OBJ
jective method, the use Of such words, as
are necessary to direct the learners mind
in thinking of the objects presented. The
written method substitutes language for
things, other methods are known as the
analytic and synthentic. One leading the
mind from a study of the whole, to view
of its parts, and the latter just the oppo-
site. The true method will be that one
which will best accomplish the purposes
for which the act of teaching is exercised
These purposes are to direct the pupil to
the acquisition of knowledge, to the true
way of thinking, and to the right develop
which is blessed simply with sense at first,
| must have those senses well cultured. For
| this you are to use object, lessons, and
pictures, aud bring things in contact with
the child. The first faculty child ex-
hibits is simple imagination, also concomi-
tant with that, comes memory, by the time
the child is II to 10 it begins to develop a
thinking power. The great work is to
train every faculty of the child. There
should be sound oral instruction, about
the great deeds of the past, the great works
that have been accomplished. d.-Prof. Wal.
| Ter then addressed the Institute on "School
Manners" 1t is a common mistake to
| suppose that manners should only be cul-
tivated at home. 1t is the work of the
schools to prepare child for life's duties.
Manners enter far more largely into the
| failure or success of lifes voyage, than we
are apt to suppose. First impressions are
very potent, and the person of polished
manners, all other things being equal, is
| apt to dis ance his less cultured brother.
| A teacher should have frequent talks with
his pupils, on the subject of manners
Seek TO have them cultivate the highest
possible types. A teacher should never
criticize any lack of culture in pupil In
the presence of others, that should always
be a personal subject. Education, really
begins the day the boy leaves school il he
does not know single one of the ologies,
if you have taught him to use his knowl.
edge for practical purposes, you have done
good work.
The afternoon session was opened by a
class drill The Blood Circulation" by
pupils from Mr.. Curry's school after which
Mr.. Kelly read an excellent paper on "How
TO teach History" and was followed by
Prof. Waller, who delivered his celebrated
lecture on "What shall we do with ouI
boys" The learned gentleman advocated
the establishment of industrial schools, at
means of perpetuating our Common
Veal and Wealth. Mr.. Curry then read a
paper on "Aids to the success of oul
Schools" and then County Supt. Grimes
read IA very able paper on "The Influence
of the Teacher" " A class drill on "Lar.
guage" was conducted by Mr. Burke anc
one in "Penmanshp" by Mr.. Harmon
after which Hon. G. G Murphy delivered
a very humorous ana entertaining discourse
on "School "Reminiscences, addresses
were also delivered by Messrs. Geo. w
Davis, Edward Reese and Profs. Wilbel
and Estler. The following resolutions